So what's the U.S., chopped liver?

Saw this on the web page of a Canadian newspaper:

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/D...922/story.html

Canada unable to launch a satellite because of sanctions on Russia; considering building its own launcher.

Now, I know the U.S. doesn't currently have a capability of sending astronauts to the ISS. But I thought it was still capable of launching satellites into orbit. But the U.S. isn't even *mentioned* in that story as a nation which could launch the satellites in question.

That I found really weird.

However, for Canada to step up to the plate, and build a launcher in the class of the Saturn 5 or the Space Shuttle, instead of just a satellite launcher, would be great. They could perhaps work something out with the Turks and Caicos Islands to avoid being in the awkwards position of Russia of having to launch from a northern latitude.

John Savard

On Monday, July 28, 2014 5:13:12 AM UTC-7, Quadibloc wrote:
Saw this on the web page of a Canadian newspaper:



http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/D...922/story.html



Canada unable to launch a satellite because of sanctions on Russia; considering building its own launcher.



Now, I know the U.S. doesn't currently have a capability of sending astronauts to the ISS. But I thought it was still capable of launching satellites into orbit. But the U.S. isn't even *mentioned* in that story as a nation which could launch the satellites in question.



That I found really weird.



However, for Canada to step up to the plate, and build a launcher in the class of the Saturn 5 or the Space Shuttle, instead of just a satellite launcher, would be great. They could perhaps work something out with the Turks and Caicos Islands to avoid being in the awkwards position of Russia of having to launch from a northern latitude.



John Savard

China ans India can each reliably launch stuff, even a lot cheaper than Russia.

Quadibloc:
However, for Canada to step up to the plate, and build a launcher in the
class of the Saturn 5 or the Space Shuttle, instead of just a satellite
launcher, would be great.

Perhaps, if your idea of "great" is for Canada to go fiscally bankrupt
as the U.S. has done. I rather like Canada, and would not like to see
that happen.

IMO there is no longer a need for heavy lifters or for Space-Shuttle
type machines.

--
I agree with almost everything that you have said and almost everything that
you will say in your entire life.

usenet *at* davidillig dawt cawm

On Mon, 28 Jul 2014 12:42:54 -0400, Davoud wrote:

IMO there is no longer a need for heavy lifters or for Space-Shuttle
type machines.

Well, there's a clear need for heavy lifters. But they are specialized
tools that are only occasionally used. We have no routine programs
that require them. It seems a bit silly for every spacefaring nation
to maintain its own design and inventory of that sort of thing. If one
or two exist, anybody ought to be able to contract for their
occasional use.

On Monday, July 28, 2014 10:42:54 AM UTC-6, Davoud wrote:

IMO there is no longer a need for heavy lifters or for Space-Shuttle
type machines.

How will you transport humans off the Earth for permanent residency in O'Neill space colonies without them?

John Savard